[Four months isn’t that long. Yet Reagan used less time than that to crush his opponents and pass tax cuts for the rich that shredded the New Deal social safety net. “The president used the bully pulpit to overcome opposition among House Democrats, building support for the cuts,” recalled Princeton historian Julian Zelizer. “He gave a speech on television, urging citizens to write their legislators and tell them to support the cuts. House Democrats, now the sole base for the party in Washington, joined in once they saw the public pressure.” LBJ took less time to “set Congress on the path to passing the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as well as a tax cut and Medicare,” wrote presidential scholar Jeffrey Tulis.]
28.
That’s why, for Obama, the bully pulpit was useless. At least 10% of the House and Senate majorities he won leaned GOP. And the GOP seats were, with a handful of exceptions, solid red. Obama’s speeches made GOP areas angrier - they turned out in force during his first mid-term election, and put an end to his majorities.
Let's also remember: this joker was afraid to govern for fear it would leave a mark; he'd have to take responsibility.
He left office w/ a munificent federal "inheritance," a tax-free foundation worth millions and multi-million dollar book and Netflix contracts.
Which tells us his sole raison d'etre for seeking office ......to get rich quick.